Dolphins 25, Bills 16: Miami Makes Its Case As a Contender in AFC East

The Miami Dolphins were a laughingstock last season. Going 1-15 will do that. But the 2008 Dolphins are doing a lot of laughing right now.

Sure, their 3-4 record isn't going to scare anybody, but it is three times the amount of wins they had all of last year. And two of those three wins are against the two teams people feel are the favorites to win Miami's AFC East: the Patriots and Bills.

The Dolphins got it together and dominated late in their 25-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills. Ted Ginn Jr. set a career high with 175 yards receiving, which was a major part of Chad Pennington's 314 yards passing attack -- his first 300-yard game since 2006. Miami scored the game's final 18 points to get the win.

Not only did Miami dominate on offense, but their defense forced four Bills turnovers in the fourth quarter alone. One of those turnovers was a key sack of Trent Edwards that resulted in a late safety. After a Marshawn Lynch touchdown to begin the second half, the Bills gained just 101 yards the rest of the way.

This was the first of a three-game stretch against division opponents for the Bills. Buffalo will come back home to face the Jets before meeting the Patriots in Foxboro. This is a crucial stretch to show the league that they are for real.

Miami will travel to Denver next week before getting the Seahawks and Raiders at home. If Miami can get through that with at least two more wins, they will be right in the thick of things heading into a huge home game with the Patriots.